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M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun and Manual

The mighty Maw Deuce! Selective Fire, recoil operated, air cooled, Caliber .50, 710 gr bullet, 2930 fps muzzle velocity, 110-round metallic link belt, 400 to 550 rpm, Effective range 2500 yds. A formidable battle-ground sweeper to this day.


TM9-1005-213-10: Operations Manual: M2 .50 Cal Heavy Barrel MG

M1919A4 .30-caliber Light Machine Gun

Muzzle Energy Comparison Chart, Korean Weapons


M2hb .50-caliber, air cooled, Heavy Machine Gun

M2HB .50 Caliber Air Cooled Machine Gun

I Co., 5th RCT, Near Chiper-ri, August '51
Tank Company, 5th RCT, July '51

M2hb .50-caliber, air cooled, Heavy Machine Gun

Operation Selective Fire; Semiautomatic or Fully Automatic, recoil operated, air cooled
Caliber .50 (12.7 mm)
Ammunition bullet 710 gr, charge 235 gr
Muzzle velocity 853.4 mps (2930 fps)
Capacity 110-round metallic link belt
Weight 57.8 kg (128 lbs); barrel 81 lbs, tripod 44 lbs
Overall length 165.4 cm (65.1 in), (barrel 45 in)
Rate of fire 400 to 550 rounds per minute
Effective range 2287m (2500 yds)

Note: The M2 .50 caliber machine gun is still standard issue today. Mr. Browning's magnificent weapon may see its 100th birthday, still on active duty.

The .50 caliber machine gun is primarily an anti-vehicular weapon. Its weight, and the weight of its ammunition, make it unsuitable for mobile infantry use. However, in semi-fixed positions such as the MLR in Korea, or mounted on vehicles in file, as in the withdrawal from Chosin, the weapon is magnificent. Its great range and striking power make it deadly in enfilade against troops staging for assault. Again, these capabilities make it ideal for quick reaction against machine gun and mortar positions on heights overlooking road communications.

Against massed infantry attack over ground with relatively constant slope, as against the Chinese human wave assaults on our MLR such as at Vegas, the M2 is a truly terrible force. For mobile patrol deployment, mounted on light vehicles, it is equally effective.


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